Russian ballet group takes to the stage at Emperors
Only three shows will be staged in April
South African audiences will be given a window into the world of fine Russian culture when the Crown of the Russian Ballet takes to South African stages in April and May, including three shows at Emperors Palace on April 25 and 26.
The programme opens with the world premiere of Emelianov’s Manfred’s one-act ballet choreographed to one of Tchaikovsky’s undoubted masterpieces, The Symphony Manfred. The narrative for this work, dealing with deep remorse and moral anguish, comes from Lord Byron’s Poem of the same name.
Manfred is a Romantic hero of epic and Faustian proportions. In his idealistic dilemma he is doomed to destroy the very ones he loves. Imbued with supernatural elements, the metaphysical torment of Manfred is given the choreographic distinction that audiences internationally have come to associate with the work of Anatoly Emelianov.
The second half features the one-act Romeo and Juliet and an excerpt from The Sleeping Beauty. Danced to Tchaikovsky’s exquisite Romeo and Juliet overture and featuring choreography by Emelianov, this work of burning passion and exquisite beauty was inspired by Shakespeare’s text and remains one of Tchaikovsky’s most popular compositions.
The tale of Princess Aurora and her tragic sixteenth birthday party holds a place in every child’s heart. Based on the Brothers Grimm version of the famous Charles Perrault Fairy Story, the Sleeping Beauty is quite simply the quintessential classical ballet that one associates with the Golden Age of Russian ballet. Ever appealing, it is regarded as one of Petipa’s most enduring works and one of his ultimate choreographic masterpieces.
On Saturday, April 25, two shows will take place at 3pm and 8pm respectively, and on Sunday, April 26, there is one show at 3pm.
Tickets are available from R150 a person at Computicket.
